HUSKY HIGHLIGHTS

Dear HCS Parents, Caregivers and Staff,

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your flexibility and patience during Thursday’s unexpected power outage. We know the shifting communication required many of you to quickly adjust, rearranging work schedules, childcare, transportation, and after-school plans, only to pivot back again once power was restored and we were able to resume our normal schedule. We understand that those quick changes are not easy, especially in the middle of a busy week.

Your responsiveness, understanding, and steady partnership allowed us to focus on keeping students safe and supported throughout the day. Situations like this remind us how fortunate we are to be part of such a thoughtful and adaptable school community. We truly appreciate your cooperation and the trust you place in us each day.

Thank you for working alongside us.

With Appreciationn,

Tim, Alexis and Alicia

Monday, February 16: CVSD Community Budget Meeting 7:00 - 8:00

Tuesday, February 17: PiE Meeting 6:00 Flex Space

Wednesday, February 18: Early Release Day/Banking Day

Wednesday, 2/18: Digital Well-Being Event for Parents/Caregivers at CCS (see below)

Friday, February 20: Unclaimed Lost/Found Clothing To Be Donated Locally

Monday, February 23 - Friday, February 27: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Saturday, February 28: Final Day for Kindergarten Registration

Monday, March 2: CVSD Annual Budget Meeting: CVU 5:00

Tuesday, March 3: Voting Day - Town Office 7:00-7:00

Wednesday, March 4: Early Release Day/Banking Day

Wednesday, March 11: Early Release Day/Banking Day

Wednesday, March 18: Early Release Day/Banking Day

Thursday, March 19: N0 SCHOOL - Conferences

Friday, March 20: NO SCHOOL - Eid al Fitr

Tuesday, March 24: CVU Arts Night 5:30 - 8:30

For those who celebrate Ramadan, school meals are available for take home. To request meals from February 17 through March 19, students or caregivers should email HCS Site Manager Wendy Munsell (wmunsell@cvsdvt.org) in the morning, and meals will be available for pickup in the afternoon.

In July 2024, the Vermont State Legislature passed Act 139, a new law aimed at strengthening reading instruction for young learners. Officially titled “An Act Relating to Supporting Vermont’s Young Readers Through Evidence-Based Reading Instruction,” this law is designed to improve reading outcomes for students in kindergarten through third grade.

We are pleased to share that CVSD’s current curriculum already aligns with the law’s emphasis on evidence-based, systematic reading instruction. Thanks to our dedicated educators and strong literacy practices, 87% of CVSD third graders were reading at or above grade level at the end of the 2025 school year.

One key component of Act 139 is a new requirement to notify caregivers if their child is significantly below grade level in reading. CVSD has already begun this process, ensuring that families are informed and supported. Please know that we are committed to providing every child with the instruction and resources they need to develop strong reading skills. If your child qualifies for additional reading support, you will receive communication from us with more details. In addition, we have resources for families to support literacy on our website at cvsdvt.org/Academics/Caregiver Literacy Resources.

If you have any questions about this law or our reading instruction practices, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your partnership in supporting our young readers.

We are seeing an increase in flu-like symptoms at Hinesburg Community School, including fever, headache, chills, body or muscle aches, cough, and sore throat—consistent with what’s being reported across Vermont and the country. We are also seeing some gastrointestinal illness.

When Should I Keep My Child Home?

Families often ask when it’s best to keep a child home from school. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: “Is my child ready to be a student today?” If your child’s illness would prevent them from being comfortable, engaged, or productive at school, staying home is the best choice. Keeping sick children home also helps protect the health of classmates and staff.

Please keep your child home if they have:

• Fever (100.4° or higher). Children should stay home until their temperature returns to normal for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Excessive coughing that cannot be controlled with a drink of water or a lozenge.

• Vomiting or diarrhea. Your child should be able to eat and drink without symptoms for at least 12 hours before returning to school.

Ways to Help Protect Others:

• Stay home while sick to prevent spreading illness.

• Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use fever-reducing medication if needed.

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Wash hands often.

• Improve airflow when possible by opening windows or using air filters.

• Wear a mask if you must be around others while sick.

If your child’s symptoms are not improving, please reach out to their healthcare provider. When calling or emailing your child out sick, we appreciate you sharing symptoms so we can help track trends within our school.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the HCS Health Office at 802-482-6237.

Thank you for helping keep our HCS community healthy and well.

English: https://www.oliviaandlesliefoundation.org/spring26hinesburg

K–2 Grade:

Kindergarten through second-grade library classes have primarily focused on read-alouds that connect to the world around us. We have done some review of finding "just-right" books, but many of the readings have focused on the themed months of the year and traditions related to families and activities. During every class, students have time for choice table exploration and book checkout as well.

3–5 Grade:

In third through fifth-grade library classes, much of the time has been spent highlighting new books in the library and encouraging students to check out books that are "just right" for them. We have also spent time discussing books, sharing ideas, and making connections with peers. Every week, students are allowed to check out books and participate in choice-time experiences, including coloring, loom bands, and interactive games.

6th Grade:

Sixth-grade library classes are split among three homerooms, and each group of students is in the library for half the year. Since the most recent group switch, students have been completing a Shark Tank project, in which they develop a product and pitch it in the library Shark Tank. Despite this being a larger project, students still have time each class to collaborate with one another during choice time and to check out books.

7/8 Grade:

While seventh- and eighth-graders do not have Library EA time, they still use the space often. This year, we have had many library helpers, students coming in to check out books, and the space has also been used as a spot for students to collaborate on work and connect with one another. Our library helpers currently assist with many of the younger classes, and community service volunteers help to reshelve books and organize the space.

It has been so much fun getting to know this community and the students this year! I look forward to what the rest of the year—and beyond—has in store.

Lauren Drasler

On January 20, the CVSD School Board approved a $107.9M FY27 budget to support and operate the district. Voters will consider this budget on Town Meeting Day—Tuesday, March 3, 2026. You can also vote or absentee beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, by requesting a ballot online at sos.vermont.gov/elections.

The proposed $107.9M budget carries forward the current year's level of services and programming into the 2026-27 school year, recognizing that further cuts to programs would affect the core mission of the district.

Learn more about the budget at www.cvsdvt.org/budget and at the upcoming informational meeting:

Virtual Community Budget Meeting

Monday, February 16 at 7 p.m.

Join via Zoom, Meeting ID: 287 287 5018, Passcode: cvsd11

Girls on the Run Coaches needed at HCS! Ready to help girls speak up with confidence? Through the Spring 2026 Girls on the Run curriculum (GOTR), "Hello, Bold Heart!”, we teach girls how to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas and help others do the same. Speaking up takes courage, and being a Bold Heart is all about building the confidence to share what’s inside—even when she feels nervous. Use YOUR voice and empower girls in grades 3-5 to speak up like never before by coaching at HCS!

Not a runner? Haven’t coached before? No problem! Girls on the Run VT (GOTRVT) provides training, easy to follow lesson plans, supplies and support for a transformational season. Our season begins the week of March 16, 2026, and ends with a celebratory 5K on Saturday, May 30th. Over the 10 week season our team will meet twice weekly for 90 minute sessions to connect, move, learn and have FUN!

Visit gotrvt.org/coach to learn more or sign up to volunteer. Families can fill out a participant interest form to get connected. Questions? Contact GOTRVT at stephanie@girlsontherunvermont.org, or 802-871-5664.

Click here for more information on becoming a sub!

Celebrate the Arts, Tuesday, March 24

New Time! 5:30-8:30 p.m.

WHEN: Tuesday • February 17th • 2026

WHAT: pancake dinner • festive music • crafts • company of community

On Friday, February 13th there will be a free community meal in Hinesburg. Hosted by community members and held at the United Church of Hinesburg Parish Hall from 5:30-7 pm.

The meal, cooked by community members, will include various soups, grilled cheese, breads and treats (gluten free, vegan and dairy-free options available). Take out is also available.

These twice a month meals will be held on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month through March. Look for future dinners on 2/27, 3/13 & 3/27.

If you're interested in cooking or volunteering for a future event, the sign up is here.

Athletics

CVSD School Board

Essential Arts

Food Service and Menu

Health Office

Jump Rope

Library

My School Bucks

PiE - Partnership in Education

School Handbook

Theater

Volunteer at HCS

Access CVU Classes & Registration

Carpenter Carse Library

Common Ground Adventure Camp

Hinesburg Food Shelf

Hinesburg Recreation Department

New Village Farm School

Shelburne Museum Summer Camp Registration

Tim Trevithick, HCS Principal

ttrevithick@cvsdvt.org

Alexis Kelly, HCS Assistant Principal

akelly@cvsdvt.org

Alicia Kurth, HCS Special Education Administrator

akurth@cvsdvt.org

Email: hcsinformation@cvsdvt.org

The Husky Highlights Newsletter is published weekly, when school is in session. It is available on our website and is also delivered via email. If needed, a hard copy can be provided for your child to bring home. The Husky Highlights includes upcoming events, after school opportunities, notes of interest for parents and the community and updates from our school administration.